Circuit interrupter



May 5, 1925. 1,536,336

` G. FUssNl-:R

GRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Jun e 18. 1920 Passed' May s, 1925.

AUNITED STATES- v1,536,336 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE FU-SSNER, OF IIENOMINEE, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO SIGNAL ELECTRIC MFG. C0., A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER.

Application med June 1a, 1920. serial No. 389,816.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, GEORGE FUssNER, a citizen of the Republic' of Germany, and resident of Menominee, in the county of Menominee and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit Interrupters, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to circuit interrupters Vand with regard to the more specific features thereof to circuit-interrupters of the electro-magnetic type.

One of the objects of the-invention is to provide a circuit interrupter which shall be compact and durable in construction and the action of which shall be reliable and eficient. j

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type mentioned, the parts of which shall be easy to produce at small expense and easy to assemble accurately.

Otherl objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several features of this invention, Fig. 1 is a plan view of my interrupter in a preferred application to an electric bell, Fig. 2 is an end view of the apparatus viewed from the lower end of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a detail view in perspective of the ar mature and Fig. 4 is a view in longitudinal section and on an enlarged scale taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, I have shown my invention applied to a vibratory interrupter of the general type employed in electric bells. The bell shown comprises a base element 1 for supporting the elect-romagnetic parts and the gong 2. The base 1 preferably consists of a cast metal skeleton frame and includes an integral standard 3 to which are secured preferably by screws 4 a pair of electromagneticcores 5 upon which are mounted the usual electromagnetic coils 6. The armature 7 is preferably formed as an integral piece with the hammer 8, the lower part' only of the latter being indi- .'cated. Secured to the armature 7 preferably by screws 9 there is a flexible metal plate 10 carrying a movable interrupter contact 11 for cooperation with a stationary Contact 12, a piece of insulation 13 being interposed between the armature and the blade, and the screws 9 being insulated from the blade as at 14. The stationary contact 12 1s formed on the end of a contact screw 18 which is threaded between'the jaws 14 of a split post l5, the jaws being clamped upon the contact screw by means of a clampmg screw 16. The contact screw permits adjustment of the stationary contact.

Thearmature is preferably hinged at the end opposite thehammer by a novel construction now to be described. Preferably1 integral with the end of the armature 7 are formed a pair of ears 17 and 18 bent at right angles thereto, curved at vtheir ends as at 17 and each provided with a central perforation 19. The ears 17 and 18 are fitted over a pin 20 extending into an opening 21 in the base member 1 and at right angles to said base, the said pin being firmly secured in place by means of set screw 22 which extends transversely through an opening 28 in the base. The base is preferably cast with a thickened portion 24 at the region of said set screw. By preference a pair `of metal washers 25 are interposed between the base portion 24 and the adjacent ear 18 to provide a low-friction support for the armature.

A coil spring 26 enoirclcs the pin 20 and has one free end 27 preferably extending upwardly through a hole 28 in a head member 29. The head member is secured upon the upper end of thepin 20 in any desired manner, as for instance, by extending the pin through an axial opening and upsetting its end as at 30 and the peripherv is pref-l erably serrated as at 31. At its vother end 32 the spring is preferably extended outwardly away from the pin 2O and the ex-l tremity extends between the coil and the armature and below the head and is bent toward and presses against the adjacent surface of the armature. TheV convolutions of the spring are preferably substantially in contact with each other and embrace the pin with small clearance, the extreme convolutions contacting the adjacent sides of the ears 17 and 18. The head 29 has a. shoulder 29 adjacent the outer surface of ear 17 and the armature 7, is thus, confined against objectionable sliding along the pin 20 between washers 25 and shoulder 29.

VThe terminals of the electromagnet are shown at 33 and 34 upon the same side of the casting 1 as and adjacent to the contact carrying screw 13', so that access to the same and to the contacts may be readily gained from the same side, which is desirable when the device is to be inspected or repaired Without removal from the Wall or other fixture. The two electromagnetic coil are connected in series-by the conductor '35, a conductor 36 leads from terminal 33 to one of the coils and a conductor 37 leads from the other coil to the contact screw 13', the circuit being completed through the contacts 11 and 12, the blade 10 and the conductor 38 to the second terminal 34.

It will be seen that the end 27 of the coil spring 26 is firmly held in position preferably by the head 29 upon pin 20 which 1n turn is firmly held in place by screw 22. If spring 26 is `placed under some tension, its free end will therefore press the armature 7 away from the electromagnetic coil, thus causing the closing of contacts 11-12 as 1ndicated on the drawings. IVhen current is applied to the device, the electromagnetic coils are energized and attract the armature, thereby drawing the free end 32 of the spring 26 toward the left in Fig. 1 thus applying additional tension to the spring and separating Contact 11 from statlonary contact 12, thus breaking the circuit. The magnet becoming deenergized now, the spring 26 expands and the free end thereof pushes the armature outwardly and agaln closes the circuit 11-12. This operationA continues while the circuit is closed with the familiar vibratory action.

For adjusting the tension of the spring 26 the set screw 22 is loosened, the head 29 is turnedl in the appropriate direction and through the appropriate angle either for increasing or decreasing the tension of the spring to the extent desired and the set Screw is then again tightened. The upstanding end 27 ofthe spring preferably clears the curved end 17 of the adjacent ear 17 as shown at 40, so that no interference will occur in the process of adjustment Within the ranges required in use. It will be understood that my adjustable pivot pin may be used for adjusting the tension of springs of types other than the preferred form shown.

It will be seen that my interrupter comprises few parts of simple and inexpensive construction, there being provided merely a stamped metal armature having integral hinging ears bent therefrom, a pin cut from a piece of regular stock, a coil spring-made from ordinary Wire, a head made from a simple stamping and a few screws. The assembly of the parts is easily effected. In my simple construction the relatively short pin 20 constitutes a rigid pivot for the armature, and sincethe pivoting ears that encircle the pin are integral with the armature, I dispense with the use of complex supporting devices, such as, punched or cast brackets with spebe understood that my broader claims em brace in their scope other types of springs, such as pulling as distinguished from tor-v sion coil s rings.

Althoug I have shown my invention specifically. applied to an electromagnetic interrupter of the type employed in electric bells and prefer to so employ it, it will be understood that the same may be employed to advantage in vibratory regulators and in switches or interrupters generally of the non-vibratory as Well as of the vibratory type.

-I claim A 1. In electromagnetic apparatus, in combination a base, a pivot pin carried thereby and at right angles thereto, an armature in a. plane parallel to said pin, said armature having a pair of integral ears extending from opposite sides and near one end thereof, and at an angle to said armature, said pin extending through an opening in each said ear, and a coil spring encircling said pin and having one endlixed with respect to said pin and the other in the path of movement in one direction of said armature.

2. In electromagnetic apparatus, in combination a support, a pivot pin mounted thereon, an armature having a pair `of inte` gral ears extending from opposite sides of said armature and at right angles thereto, sai-d pin extending through an opening in each of said ears, and a spring coiled about said pin and disposed between said ears,

said spring having one end fixed withere-` spect to said support and the other in the path of movement in one direction of said armature.

3. vIn electromagnetic apparatus, in combination abase, a pivot pin mounted thereon at right angles thereto, an armature having a pair of integral ears extending from opposite sides thereof and at right angles thereto, said pin extending across the width of said armature and through each said ear, and a helical spring coiled about said pin between said ears and having convolutions in contact one with each ear, saidpin having a head, one end of said spring being secured to said head and the other end resting against said armature.

4. In electromagnetic apparatus, in combination a base, a pivot pin mounted thereon, an armature having a pair of integral ears extending from opposite sides thereof and at right angles thereto, said pin extending across the width of said armature and through an opening in each said ear, and a helical spring coiled abouty said pin between Said ears having successive convolutions in contact with each other, and the limiting convolutions in contact, one with'each said ear, one end of said spring being secured toa part of said pin, and the other end resting against the face of said armature adjoining .said pin. 'A

5. Inelectromagnetic apparatus, in combination a base, a pivot pin mounted'thereon and at right angles thereto, an armature having 'a pair of integral ears extending from opposite sides thereof and at right angles thereto, said pin extending across the width of said armature and parallel thereto and through an opening in each said ear, a spring coiled about said pin between said ears, and a shoulder on said pin preventing sliding of said armature along said pin, sald spring having one end secured to said pin and the opposite end pressing against said armature.

6. In electromagnetic apparatus, in combination a support, a pin mounted thereon, an armature, a spring coiled about said pin and having one end securedthereto and the other end pressing against said armature, and means for effecting a rotary adjustment of said pin to regulate the tension of said spring.

7. In electromagnetic apparatus, in combination a base, a pivot pin mounted thereon and at right an les thereto, an armature pivoted about sai pin, a spring coiled about said pin and having one end secured thereto and the other end pressing. against said armature, and a set screw for securing said pin to said base.

8. In electromagnetic apparatus, in combination a base, a ivot pin mounted thereon and at right ang es thereto and having a -head constitutinga finger piece, an armature pivoted about sa 1d pin, a spring coiled about said pin and having one end secured to said head and the other end pressing against said armature, and a set screw for securing said head against rotation.

9. In electromagnetic apparatus, in combination a base, a pivot pin mounted thereon and having an integral head constituting a finger piece, an armature pivoted about said pin, a sprin coiled about said in between said' base an said head and havlng one end secured to said head and the other end pressing against said armature, and a set screw for securing said pin to said base.

10. In electromagnetic apparatus, in combination a base, a pivpt pin mounted thereon, an armature in a plane parallel to said pin, said armature having a pair of integral ears extending from opposite sides and near one end thereof and at an angle to said armature, said pin extending through an openin in each sald ear, a coil spring encircling sai pin and having one end fixed with respect to said pin and the other in the path of movement in one direction of said armature, and a set Screw for securing said pin to said base.

11. In electromagnetic apparatus, in combination, a support, a pivot pin mounted thereon, an armature having a pair of integral ears extending from opposite sides of said armature and atV-right angles thereto, said pin extending through an opening in each saidear, and a spring coiled about said pin and disposed between said ears, said pin having a head, one end of said sprin being secured to said head and the other en pressing against said armature, and a set screw for securing said head against rotation.

12. In electromagnetic apparatus, in combination, a base, a pivot 1n at right angles thereto and provided wit an integral head,

lan armature having its width at right angles to said base, said armature having a pair of integral ears extending from o posite sides thereof and parallel to said ase, saidpin passing through an o ening in each ear, a spring coiled about said pin between said ears, one end of said spring being secured to said head and the other resting against said armature, and aset screw securing said pin to said base.

13. In electromagnetic apparatus, in combination, a base, a pivot 1n at right angles thereto and provided witli an integral head an armature extending in a plane parallel to said pin, said armature having a pair of integral ears extending from opposite sides and near. one end thereof and at right angles thereto, said pin assin through an opening in each ear, sai 'hea having a shoulder resting against the adjacent ear, a spring coiled about said pin between said ears, one end of said spring iittin into a recess in said head, the other end'o said spring pressing against said armature, and a set screw securing said pin to said base.

14. In electromagnetic apparatus, 1n combination, a base, a. pivot p1n mounted thereon at right angles thereto, said pin `being manually adjustable about its axis, an armature-pivoted about-said pin, a spring havin one art pressing a einst said armature an anot er movable with said in as the latter is adjusted and a set screw or secur' said pin` to said base in any position of a justment.

Signed at Menomine'e in the county of Menominee and State of Michigan this 14th day of June, 1920.

` GEORGE FUSSNEB. 

